Publication: Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 237. 1803.

Origin: Native

Herbarium search: CPNWH

Notes: FNA5: "Polygonum ramosissimum exhibits considerable morphological complexity and is similar in difficulty to the P. aviculare complex. Further research is necessary to understand the infraspecific variability of this species (M. Costea and F. J. Tardif 2003b).

Subspecies ramosissimum is heterogeneous; some additional elements may deserve recognition. It is closely related to European Polygonum bellardii Allioni, which was collected in south Boston in 1785 (B. L. Robinson 1902). The latter species has semi-open flowers, petaloid tepals with white or pink margins, and eight stamens. A distinct form of P. ramosissimum growing in saline marshes from California has been mistakenly identified as P. patulum Bieberstein (M. Costea and F. J. Tardif 2003b). The morphology of late-season achenes and the branching patterns, which have been emphasized by some authors, appear to have little taxonomic value."

Last updated 2/15/2024 by David Giblin.